Not So Great Expectations

[changeling67]

I have come to the end of my study of Great Expectations for the time being. I must admit to skimming it and I think if it is a book I will be studying, then I will revisit and take notes with the exact essay title in mind. No spoilers, but every Gothic novel has its sinister setting and Satis House is no exception.  Throw in a token mad woman and her brainwashed mini me and bingo - Gothic Central.  Some critics would say that both lead females eventually become sympathetic characters in their own way.  Sometimes I wonder what I am missing, because I think they are both monsters.

There's Mrs Joe, the sadistic husband/nephew beater; Havisham as the rotting Rapunzel, with her virago-in-waiting Estella (another automaton - what IS it with this specific Dickens archetypes?) honed to drive men to make masochistic fools of themselves.  Lots of themes here - social class, sexual inequality and Dickens own deep psyche needs exploring.  Or does it? I think he was a product of his time and he reflects the prejudices and presumptions across the scale.

I am preferring Brick Lane, which is quite a thick book to get through - I am chipping away with it night after night before I go to sleep.  A review on that book another time.

Comments

[bluegerl.livejournal.com]

I think you'll enjoy this new read. Much the 'brighter richer side of life!'

Oh bloody gorgeous... Bleak Expec... oh my goodness and I DO LOVE this sort of damnfool nonsense. Very Monty Python. AND alongside is Old Harry's Game!!!! he was a MUST listen!!

Thanks so MUCH for these.. I just didn't know all this stuff existed. Youtube seems a bottomless pit of gorgeous gunge!!! Music, fun, and corridors of overbrimming laughter and merriment...ahahah ahahah hahahah ahahah - right off to the sitting room......

Thanks AGAIN for your treasures. you really are an Aladdin's Cave!!!

[calico-pye.livejournal.com]

Can you access the BBC website from where you are? If you can, you can hear many podcasts. Radio 4Extra is my favourite because it has comedy on at 10pm. I loved 'Old Harry's Game' and also 'The Museum of Everything.'

Link -------> http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra/programmes/schedules/this_week

If you are successful,'Old Harry's Game' is on tonight and the podcast will be available then :-)

[bluegerl.livejournal.com]

I can only get Radio 4... and sometimes... Radio 5 hahaha. (shoots self in head!) so I have to go to the BBC on my PC ... but since I've no idea what is on when as they advertise stuff about a week ahead on the World Service or such places - I miss so much. RIGHT!!

Thanks for the link. I shall use it cos I've found it difficult to get the right programmes to come up. They keep changing the layout too...aaahhh I just was to FIND STUFF...not play hunt the thimble!!! Bless you again.

OOOh hoho Old Harry eh! DO love him. I think I shall ask in Purgatory if I can go to Harry's Hell please.... and watch the Popes and Cardinals all being pregnant all the time! hahaha. what a punishment!